By: Peacewell Makhurane, Junior Programme Officer
Last week from 8-11 July 2025, the Raoul Wallenberg Institute, Harare Office in cooperation with the Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) conducted a training for 20 ZGC staff on conducting gender audits in public institutions, equipping them with knowledge and skills to assess the implementation of gender mainstreaming across institutional structures, policies, systems, and programmes. Participants also deepened their understanding of key gender concepts and the practical application of international, regional and national standards on gender equality, including on human rights of women. The training strengthened the capacity of ZGC to use gender audit tools, including data collection methods like interviews, focus groups, observations, and document reviews. Staff also gained practical facilitation skills for effectively conducting gender audit fieldwork activities such as key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and assessments. As a result of the training, participants were able to review and input to some of the gender audit tools including, key informant interview questions for management, human resources, staff and document review checklist which ZGC developed to be used in conducting gender audits for government ministries. Participants also developed skills in drafting gender audit reports that summarise key findings and provide actionable recommendations to support improved gender mainstreaming and the promotion of gender equality within public institutions.
The timing of the training was particularly strategic, as ZGC is preparing to undertake its own institutional gender audit in 2025. In addition, ZGC will be rolling out pilot gender audits in four key government ministries which are the Ministry of Youth Empowerment and Development and Vocational Training, Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing and Ministry of Health and Child Care. The findings from the gender audit process will inform actionable strategies to align institutional policies and programming with the national, regional and international standards on gender equality. The training has thus directly contributed to building the internal capacity of ZGC required to implement these audits, ensuring they address the gender gaps and persistent disparities within public institutions to align with national, regional and international gender equality objectives.
This improved technical capacity positions ZGC to more effectively lead and support gender audits across government ministries and other public institutions. This enhanced capacity is expected to translate into more informed and systematic implementation of gender mainstreaming practices within institutional structures, policies, systems, and programmes, contributing to the advancement of gender equality in Zimbabwe.
The training was held at Cresta Lodge, Msasa, Harare and was facilitated by ZGC Commissioner, Naome Chimbetete and Egnes Nhengo, Director at Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development.
